BIM-enabled health and safety coordination in the UK construction industry

Research

29 APR 2018

BIM-enabled health and safety coordination in the UK construction industry

The coordination of Health and Safety during the design/pre-construction phase is often perceived as significantly important because of the ability to influence a reduction in the possibility of accidents and injuries. In the UK construction industry, the construction design and management (CDM) regulations are best placed to achieve this vision. Most importantly, the role of the Principal Designer (PD) is crucial, given their pre-construction phase responsibilities. This study critically evaluates the duties placed on PDs and examine the extent to which implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM)-enabled H&S coordination enhances the discharge of duties performed by PDs.

Primary data considered for this study involved the use of a questionnaire survey, while secondary data in the form of Statutory Instruments were scrutinised, thereby applying content analysis and drawing comparisons with the extent of discharge of duties. The findings reveal that over 90% (i.e. 12 of 13) of the duties placed on the CDM-C in the previous regime correspond with those placed on the PD in the current regime.

Secondly, of the nine duties that stand out in terms of BIM interoperability at Level 2, the study shows that four duties of the PD immediately benefit from adopting the BIM-enabled H&S coordination approach, namely: Regulations 11(1), 11(2), 11(4), and 11(5). In summary, the study deepens the understanding of the implementation of the CDM Regulations, particularly highlighting the role played by PDs during pre-construction.